Method and system for configuring an x-ray imaging system

ABSTRACT

A method of automatically configuring an X-ray imaging system for taking an X-ray image of an object includes, first, obtaining one or more depth images from one or more depth cameras covering at least an area covered by an X-ray bundle of an X-ray source. Then, a thickness of the object is determined from the depth image(s). Then, this thickness value is converted to a dose configuration of the X-ray imaging system by taking into account a transmission length of the X-ray bundle through the object and knowledge about tissue types being imaged.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 National Stage Application ofPCT/EP2015/064686, filed Jun. 29, 2015. This application claims thebenefit of European Application No. 14174919.2, filed Jun. 30, 2014,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of X-ray imaging systems and moreparticular to the automatic obtaining of a configuration of such X-rayimaging systems. Such a configuration may relate to a dose configurationdefining the radiation parameters of the X-ray source. Such aconfiguration may further comprise a resizing configuration in order toget the object that is imaged with a certain size in the X-ray image.Such a configuration may also relate to a position configurationdefining what will be in the centre of the captured X-ray image,typically an object of interest.

2. Description of the Related Art

Medical imaging systems usually include some user controls to adjustimaging parameters. The required configuration values are determined bya series of inputs, including the type of the study being performed andthe characteristics of the subject being imaged. The process ofselecting the right configuration given a certain subject and a desiredstudy is crucial since this affects the image quality and the subject'swellbeing directly. In the case of X-ray imaging, for instance, imageretakes caused by and erroneous configuration are especially undesirabledue to the harmful nature of X-ray radiation to the subject.

In a traditional setting, the configuration is manually controlled bythe operator. The radiation dose is typically derived from the medicalstudy type and the size of the subject. The position configuration andresizing configuration of the system is typically done manually bysight, i.e., collimator setting and position of the X-ray source anddetector panel are determined by the operator. However, this process istime consuming and prone to errors because the operator has no clearview of the applied adjustments. This results in an inefficient use ofthe X-ray system and a risk that multiple X-rays have to be captured.

Solutions have already been proposed to make the imaging process moreefficient and less prone to errors.

In WO2006024622A1 an X-ray imaging system is proposed where cameras areused to capture images of the subject to be imaged. Either volumeparameters are obtained from the 2D image data or a 3D model is obtainedfrom the 2D images. From the volume parameters, the X-ray imagingsystem's configuration is derived in an automated way. A disadvantage ofthis this system is that parameter extraction from the 2D images is notalways correct, especially not when the cameras are under a largedifferent angle than the X-ray source. Another disadvantage is that 3Dmodel composition from 2D images is a processor intensive operation.

US20140016750A1 discloses an X-ray imaging system where depth camerasare used to obtain location information of the subject and toautomatically position the X-ray emitter in the correct location. It ishowever a disadvantage that only the position can be configured. It isfurther silent on how the position configuration is to be achieved. Itonly provides details on the further use of markers which add complexityto the X-ray imaging system equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention overcome the above shortcomingsand to provide an automated configuration of an X-ray system.

In a first aspect, a method for configuring an X-ray system (800) fortaking an X-ray image of an object (107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607)comprises the steps of

obtaining one or more depth images (302, 502) from one or more depthcameras (101, 102, 201); the one or more depth cameras covering at leastan area (103, 203, 303) covered by an X-ray bundle of an X-ray source(108, 208, 808) of the X-ray imaging system; and

calculating a thickness of the object from the one or more depth images(402) or from a single depth image (402) obtained from the one or moredepth cameras; and

converting the thickness to a dose configuration of the X-ray imagingsystem by taking into account the transmission length of the X-raybundle through the object and knowledge about the tissue types beingimaged.

In a depth image, a pixel represents the distance between the depthcamera and a closest object in front of the camera. Otherwise put, afterapplying lens correction, it may be transformed to a point cloud withthe position of the camera as the origin of the coordinate system. Thesepixels may also be assigned other attributes through combination withinput from different sensors. Such pixels may be visualized as points ina three dimensional or 3D space and colourized using information fromthe different sensors. The thickness and/or the size of the object to beimaged is then determined from the one or more depth images. As thedepth images also comprise depth information, a thickness and/or thesize can be determined in directions other than the ones in the depthimage plane. This has the direct advantage that the thickness and/or thesize of the object as it will appear in the X-ray image under thecurrent configuration of the X-ray system can be determined from thedepth images, even if the cameras are under a different angle than theX-ray source.

If more than one depth camera is used, the multiple depth images mayfirst be merged thereby obtaining the single depth image. The size ofthe object is then further obtained from this single depth image. Thismay for example be performed by forming a single point cloud frommultiple depth images taking into account the spatial relation betweenthe multiple depth cameras. The merging of depth images from differentdepth cameras allow integrating blind spots for some of the cameras intothe single image.

When the size of the object is determined, it is known what the size ofthe object would be in the X-ray image under the current sizeconfiguration of the X-ray imaging system. From this size it is thendetermined how size configuration needs to be changed, i.e. by aresizing configuration, in order to have the size of the object in theX-ray image as desired. Typically, the desired size of the object isdefined from a medical file. It may for example be defined that theobject should fill the image as much as possible in order not to exposeother tissue to the X-ray radiation. The relation between the size ofthe object in the depth images and the size of the object in the X-rayimage under a certain configuration is derived from the geometricrelation between the depth cameras and the other components of the X-rayimaging system, e.g., the X-ray source, the X-ray detector, a supportingtable of the object.

It is an advantage that depth images are used for determining thethickness and/or the size of the object as it avoids complex 3Dmodelling. It is not needed to construct first a three dimensional modelto derive the size from a viewpoint different than that of the camera.

According to a preferred embodiment, the resizing configurationcomprises a diaphragm reconfiguration of the X-ray imaging system.

A diaphragm or collimator reconfiguration may be used to limit theradiation to the object. For example, when the object is a knee, thediaphragm allows limiting the radiation to the knee. A smaller diaphragmthus creates a smaller image by limiting the borders of the image, i.e.it establishes a resizing of the object with respect to the obtainedimage itself.

Alternatively or additionally, the resizing configuration comprises adistance reconfiguration of the X-ray imaging system indicative for areconfiguration of a distance between the X-ray source and the object.

By moving the X-ray source further or closer to the object, a respectivezooming out or zooming in effect is obtained.

According to a preferred embodiment, the determining a resizingconfiguration comprises:

Determining a size of the area covered by the X-ray bundle of the X-raysource in the one or more depth images or in the single depth image.

Calculating a desired size of this area such that a size of the objectwith respect to this desired size of this area corresponds to thedesired size of the object in the X-ray image.

Converting a difference between the desired size of the area and thesize of the area to the resizing configuration by the known geometricrelation.

This allows performing all operations on the depth images until arequired change in size of the area is obtained. This size of the areain the image then directly relates to the needed resizing configuration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises:

Determining a position of the object with respect to the area in the oneor more depth images and/or in the single depth image.

Determining a position change of the object relative to the areaaccording to a desired position of the object with respect to the area.

Converting the position change to a position reconfiguration by theknown geometric relation.

In other words, when the object is identified from the depth images, itsposition is localized. As there is a spatial relationship between thecameras and the X-ray source, the position of the object with respect tothe X-ray source can be derived. The position of a known object definesthe location of the object in space. The position may for example bespecified by a location of a predefined point within or on that objectand three rotational parameters, i.e., roll, pitch and yaw.

In X-ray imaging it is known what the object is and how it should bepositioned according to the X-ray source, i.e., the desired position isknown. This may for example be automatically obtained from a medicalfile or inputted by a user or operator. By the difference between thecalculated position obtained from the depth images and the desiredposition, a position reconfiguration of the X-ray imaging system iscalculated and applied. Such a position reconfiguration may comprise atranslation of the X-ray source, a rotation of the X-ray source, atranslation of the object, a rotation of the object or any combinationthereof.

It is thus an advantage the position configuration of the X-ray imagingsystem can be reconfigured based on one or more depth images withoutcomplex 3D modelling.

When the object is a part of a bigger object and the object fallsoutside the one or more depth images and the bigger object is partiallyin the one or more depth images and/or in the single depth image, thenthe determining the position of the object may advantageously comprise:

Determining a position of the bigger object with respect to the area inthe one or more depth images and/or in the single depth image.

Deriving the position of the object from the position of the biggerobject and a known position relation between the object and the biggerobject.

When an object is initially positioned to have an X-ray taken, it isusually not in the correct position but may even fall outside the fieldof view of the one or more depth cameras. For example, if an image is tobe taken of a person's leg, the one or more images may only show theupper body part of the person's body. This may occur when a person orobject is initially positioned, but the system is still configuredaccording to the setup for a previous object or person. In such a case,an operator could roughly set up the system by sight such that theobject falls within the one or more depth images. The advantage here isthat this rough initial setup also becomes obsolete and, thus, theposition configuration is completely automated.

When the object is a part of a human body comprising a skeleton andjoints, then the determining the position of the object may, accordingto a preferred embodiment, comprise:

Determining a position of these joints in the one or more depth imagesand/or in the single depth image;

Deriving the position of the object from the position of the joints anda known position relation between the object and the joints.

In X-ray imaging, it is often the goal to image certain invisible bodyparts such as for example lungs, knees, heart. These body parts cannotbe directly derived from the depth images. Therefore, the position ofthe joints is first obtained from the depth images and then the positionof the object is derived from the position of the joints. Deriving theposition of joints from depth images is well known in the art and widelyused in the field of gaming applications.

It is thus an advantage that an invisible object that is to be imagedcan be positioned accurately and, therefore, no extra X-rays are neededin order to correct a wrongly positioned object.

According to a preferred embodiment, the resizing configuration and/orposition configuration is applied as a last step. Thereafter, the stepsmay again be performed thereby performing the steps iteratively. Thisallows correcting inaccuracies introduced during a first iteration. Forexample, in the case where the object fell outside the depth image(s) ina first iteration, the obtained position or resizing configuration maybe inaccurate. In a second iteration, the object may then fall withinthe depth images which allows configuring the system more accurately.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the methodcomprises:

Calculating a thickness of the object from one or more depth images orfrom a single depth image obtained from the one or more depth cameras.

Converting this thickness to a dose configuration of the X-ray imagingsystem by taking into account the transmission length of the X-raybundle through the object and knowledge about the tissue type beingimaged.

The thickness of the object, preferably along the optical axis of theX-ray source, is obtained from depth images. As the depth imagescomprise depth information, the thickness of the object may be directlyderived from these images. This thickness then determines the dose to bedelivered to the object in order to obtain a good X-ray image withoutdelivering an overdose to the object.

It is an advantage that depth images from depth cameras are used asthese allow to obtain the thickness information directly from theimages. It suffices to change the view point of the point cloud which isimplicitly present in depth images in order to get the thickness. Again,there is thus no need to first derive complex 3D models or surfaces fromthe image(s). In combination with the thickness, prior knowledge on theexpected tissues in the planned study type can be used to predict x-rayattenuation, and hence the required dose.

It is a further advantage that the required dose is obtained. Thisallows a faster configuration of the system with less manual steps froma user or operator resulting in a more efficient use of the X-rayimaging system.

Preferably, the calculating the thickness and the converting thethickness is performed after the applying of the size reconfigurationand/or position reconfiguration. This has the advantage that at themoment of calculating the dose configuration, the object is already inits corrected position according to the X-ray source. The thickness maythen be derived from the images along the current optical axis of theX-ray source.

In one preferred embodiment the resizing configuration, the doseconfiguration and/or position reconfiguration are performed based on thesame set of depth images, alternatively separate sets of depth imagescan be used for the different reconfiguration actions. In the first caseit has to be taken into account from where the image will be takenaccording to the calculated position reconfiguration. This has theadvantage that only one set of depth images needs to be taken resultingin a faster configuration of the system.

The calculating the thickness may further comprise calculating adistance between a point on the object and a background behind theobject wherein the background is at a known distance from the object.

This has the advantage that the one or more depth cameras do not have tocover the complete object, i.e., the front and the back of the object,in order to calculate the thickness. It suffices to capture depthinformation about one side of the object and then to derive itsthickness from the distance between the one side and a known background.More specifically, the background may be a surface against which or ontop of which the object is positioned. This way the difference in depthbetween the front side of the object and the surface is a direct measureof the thickness. Such a surface may for example be the detector panelitself or a supporting table on or against which the object ispositioned.

According to a preferred embodiment, the object is positioned against oron a surface comprising radiation measurement chambers and the methodfurther comprises:

Identifying select radiation measurement chambers underneath the objectfrom one or more depth images

Activating the select radiation measurement chambers.

Such radiation measurement chambers are used for measuring the amount ofreceived radiation and for ensuring that a sufficient dose was suppliedin order to get a good X-ray image. These chambers may for example beionization chambers.

It is an advantage that the correct chambers are automatically activatedsuch that only the chambers under the object and/or under the subjectmeasure the supplied dose. There is thus no manual verification stepneeded.

Advantageously, the one or more depth cameras comprise an aligned cameracomprising an optical axis substantially aligned with an optical axis ofthe X-ray source.

This way, the image from the aligned camera forms an image with a fieldof view equivalent to or comprising the field of view of the X-raysource. This has the advantage that the thickness of the object may bedirectly derived from the depth values in the depth image of the alignedcamera. Similarly, a position change of the object within the depthimage may be easily transformed into a translation of the X-ray imagingsystem.

The present invention can be applied in an X-ray imaging system fortaking an X-ray image of an object comprising:

An X-ray source.

One or more depth cameras covering at least an area covered by an X-raybundle of the X-ray source and configured to capture one or more depthimages, and

A controller further configured to calculate the thickness and or sizeof the object from the depth image(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates parts of an X-ray imaging system according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates parts of an X-ray imaging system according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates steps performed for obtaining a resizing and positionconfiguration of an X-ray imaging system from one or more depth imagesaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates steps performed for obtaining a dose configuration ofan X-ray imaging system from one or more depth images according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates steps performed for obtaining a resizing and positionconfiguration of an X-ray imaging system from one or more depth imageswhen the object is not visible on the depth image according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates steps performed for obtaining a resizing and positionconfiguration of an X-ray imaging system from one or more depth imageswhen the object is outside the depth image according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates steps performed for automatically selecting thecorrect radiation measurement chambers according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of an X-ray imaging system accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates parts of an X-ray imaging system according to apreferred embodiment. The system comprises an X-ray source 108 or X-raytube 108 to radiate a subject 105 in order to obtain an X-ray image. Thearea 103 illustrates the area that would be radiated by the X-ray bundlefrom the X-ray source 108 in the illustrated setup. This bundle isemitted from the X-ray source 108 along its optical axis 104. It is anobject to configure the X-ray imaging system such that the appropriatearea on the subject 105 is radiated and thus imaged or, in other words,to configure the X-ray system such that the area 103 at least covers theobject 107 to be imaged. The configuration of the X-ray device will beillustrated in the preferred embodiments below for the case where anobject 107, i.e., the knee of the subject 105, i.e., a person, is to beimaged. According to the example, it is thus the object to have the havethe object 107 within the X-ray bundle, i.e., within the area 103. TheX-ray bundle is then detected by an X-ray detector panel 111 behind thesubject 105. Such a detector panel may for example be a digital flatpanel detector for directly capturing a digital version of the image.

The X-ray imaging system according to a preferred embodiment furthercomprises depth cameras 101 and 102. The depth cameras are positionedand configured such that their field of view comprises the area 103captured by the X-ray source 108. According to further preferredembodiments, the depth cameras are used for configuring the X-raysystem.

The X-ray imaging system comprises several ways of configuration inorder to manipulate or change the radiated area 103 and thus the fieldof view of the X-ray image.

A first type of configuration is a resizing configuration. By a resizingconfiguration, the size of the area 103 is defined and, thus, the sizeof the object 107 within the X-ray image is determined.

In a first way, the resizing configuration may be implemented by aconfiguration of the collimator or diaphragm. Typically such collimatoris in front of the X-ray source and limits the X-ray bundle to a certainshape. This allows resizing the radiation area 103 on the subject 105and thus limiting the amount of received radiation to the subject.

In a second way, the resizing configuration may be implemented by aconfiguration of the distance of the X-ray source 108 to the subject 105and thus to the object 107, i.e. a distance configuration of the X-rayimaging system. The closer the X-ray source 108 is to the subject 105,the smaller the radiated area 103 becomes. This distance configurationmay be accomplished by moving the X-ray source, by moving the supportingtable 111 or by moving both along the axis 122.

A second type of configuration is a position configuration or positionreconfiguration. By a position reconfiguration, the position of thetarget area 103 on the subject 107 is changed. A positionreconfiguration may be implemented by a translational configuration, arotational configuration or a combination of both.

In a translational reconfiguration of the X-ray imaging system, atranslational movement 135 of the X-ray source 108 with respect to thesubject 107 is performed and more specifically in a plane parallel tothe detector 111. In the system of FIG. 1, such a translational movementor translational position configuration may be accomplished by amovement of the X-ray source 108 supporting assembly 130 along theguides 131 till 134. The guides 131 and 132 allow a movement in a firstdirection 120 and the guides 133 and 134 allow a movement in a seconddirection 121. Any combination of movements along these two directions120 and 121 then define a translational position correction of the X-raysource 108. A translational position configuration may also be done by amovement of the supporting table 110 on which the subject 105 ispositioned. A translational movement may also be done by a combinationof a movement of the X-ray source 108 and a movement of the supportingtable 110. A translational movement of the X-ray source 108 with respectto the subject 105 will result in a repositioning of the radiation area103 on the subject.

By a rotational position configuration the X-ray source 108 rotates withrespect to the subject 105 in order to image the object 107 from adifferent angle. Preferably, the X-ray source then rotates around thepoint where the optical axis 104 crosses the surface of the subject 105resulting in a pure change in viewing angle without changing the fieldof view itself. This may be accomplished be a rotation 123 and/or 124 ofthe X-ray source 108 around itself combined with a movement of the X-raysource along the three directions 120, 121 and 122. This may also beaccomplished by a small rotation of the supporting table 110 or by acombined movement of the supporting table 110 and the X-ray source 108.

A third type of configuration is a dose configuration. According to thisconfiguration, the radiation parameters of the X-ray source 108 areconfigured. These parameters may comprise the current delivered to theX-ray source, the voltage delivered to the X-ray source and the exposuretime.

FIG. 2 illustrates parts of an X-ray imaging system according to analternative preferred embodiment. The X-ray detector panel 211 is in avertical position and the subject 205 stands in an upright positionagainst the detector panel. For the translational movement, the X-raysource 208 moves together with the detector panel 211 along thedirections 220 and 221. For the distance configuration the X-ray sourcemoves along the direction 222 further or closer to the subject 205 andthus the object 207. Also here, the area 203 covered by the X-ray bundlein the current setup of the X-ray system is shown on the subject 205.The X-ray system further also allows configuring the collimator ordiaphragm in the X-ray source 208. Attached to the X-ray source 208 is adepth camera 201 covering at least the area 203. Preferably, the opticalaxes of the X-ray source 208 is aligned or substantially parallel to theoptical axis of the depth camera 201.

According to a preferred embodiment, the three above identifiedconfigurations are automatically determined based on depth imagesacquired from depth cameras 101, 102, 201.

The depth images are a 2D image where each point in the image representsa distance value between the depth camera and the subject in front ofit. The depth images may be combined with colour or infrared sensorinformation. The depth image may also be transformed to a point cloudwhere each point of the image is represented by a 3D coordinate. Such atransformation may already be performed in the depth camera itself.

When there is more than one depth camera such as in the preferredembodiment of FIG. 1, the depth images are merged into a single pointcloud representation. This can be done be transforming the coordinatesystems of each point cloud to a single fixed coordinate system. For thetransformation, the known position relationship between the depthcameras and the X-ray imaging system is taken into account.

FIG. 3 illustrates how a configuration of the X-ray imaging systemaccording to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is obtained from a depth image or mergeddepth image 302 obtained from the depth cameras 101 and 102 or 201. Inthe depth image 302, the subject 305, a person in this example, isrepresented. The purpose is to take an X-ray image of an object 307, inthis case the knee 307 of the person 305. The rectangle 303 defines thecurrent area 303 covered by the current configuration of the X-rayimaging system. In other words, if an X-ray would be taken with thecurrent setup, the X-ray source would radiate the area 303 of the person305 by its X-ray bundle. The area 303 is known in the depth image 302 bythe known relationship between the X-ray source and the depth camerasand the known distance between the X-ray source and the subject. Thisdistance may be derived from the point 313 on the depth image where theoptical axis of the X-ray source coincides with the subject 305.

From the depth image 302, the object 307 is then identified and located.The definition of the object to be imaged may be retrieved from amedical file or selected by a user or operator of the X-ray imagingsystem. The location of the object may for example be defined by thelocation of a predefined origin 310 of the object 307 and the axes 311and 312. Preferably there is also a third axis thereby defining theobject within the depth image 302 in all three dimensions. This thirdaxis is not shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of readability. From the depthimage 302, the X-ray system thus obtains the location of the object 307with respect to the depth image 302 itself. To identify the object 307,the system may use image recognition software which is available on themarket for the processing of depth images. To derive information aboutthe object or subject a recognition algorithm may be used such as theone disclosed in the publication Shotton, Jamie, et al. “Real-time humanpose recognition in parts from single depth images.”; Communications ofthe ACM 56.1 (2013): pg. 116-124.

When the object that is to be imaged is identified and located in thedepth image 302, the system retrieves the desired position of the object307 with respect to the depth image. This is illustrated by the depthimage 322 in FIG. 3-b). There the object 307 is located in its desiredlocation defined by the origin 330 and the three axes of which two areshown as 331 and 332. This desired position may be retrieved from amedical file or database or may be inputted by a user or operator. Thedepth image 342 then illustrates the actual position 350 of the objectas derived from image 302 and the desired position 351 as obtained fromthe view 322. The difference between the actual position 350 and thedesired position 351 then determines a correction for the configurationof the X-ray imaging system.

This correction may be split in a translation 352 and a rotation 353 ofthe object with respect to the X-ray source. As the relation between thefield of view of the depth image and the X-ray source is known, thecorrections 352 and 353 are then translated into the actual positionconfiguration of the X-ray system. The actual position configuration maybe performed by a repositioning of the X-ray source with respect to theobject 307, by a repositioning of the object 307 with respect to theX-ray source or by a combination of both.

In other words, for adjusting the X-ray imaging system according to thecorrection, a transformation between the imager coordinate system andthe depth camera coordinate system is needed. Such information may beobtained by calibration or machine learning techniques such as adaptivefiltering. After this transformation, the actual position configurationof the X-ray imaging system is known and is then applied by computingand sending specific control signals to the system's actuators.

From the depth images, also the resizing configuration is obtained. Withrespect to the depth images, the resizing may be represented by resizingthe area 303 with respect to the object 307 which is equivalent to aresizing of the object 307 in the depth image if the area 303 remainsthe same size. This is also illustrated by FIG. 3 where the size of theactual object 307 in the depth image 302 in FIG. 3-a) is greater thanthe size of the object in its desired position as illustrated by FIG.3-b) en -c). In order to achieve this, there are two possibilities forconfiguring the X-ray imaging system accordingly.

In the first way of implementing the desired resizing, the collimatorsize or aperture of the X-ray source is adapted. By making the apertureof collimator smaller, the radiated area will be smaller; and by makingit bigger, the radiated area will be greater. The change in the openingof the collimator and thus the configuration of the collimator isdirectly related to the difference in the size of the actual object inthe depth image and the desired of the object in the depth image in thetarget area and to the distance between X-ray source and the object 307.The change in size of the area to be radiated on the subject is thendetermined from this difference in size and from the distance betweenthe object and the X-ray source. From this change in size and by theknown geometric relation between the depth cameras and the position ofthe diaphragm or collimator in the X-ray source, the change in theopening of the collimator or change in diaphragm is derived.

In the second way of implementing the desired resizing, the distancebetween the X-ray source and the object 307 is changed. By decreasingthe distance, the target area will become smaller and by increasing thedistance, the target area will become bigger. Therefore, the distanceconfiguration between the X-ray source and the object 307 is derivedfrom the current distance and the change in size of the object.

After calculating the position configuration and the resizingconfiguration, the obtained configuration is applied to the X-rayimaging system. After applying the new configuration to the X-raysystem, a new depth image is obtained from the depth cameras. This newdepth image 402 is illustrated in FIG. 4. By way of example, the subject405 is illustrated in its new position according to the target area 403.The object 407, i.e., the knee of the person 405, is now in its correctposition 411 with the correct size with respect to the radiated area 403for taking an X-ray image. In this position, the thickness of the object407 is then obtained by deriving from the depth image 402 the distanceto the point 412 in the area 403 that is the closest to the X-ray sourceand the distance to a known point 410. By the difference between thepoints 412 and 410, the thickness of the object 407 is obtained. Thisthickness then determines the actual dose that is to be delivered to theobject 407 in order to obtain a good image without over-radiating theobject 407. With the thickness, the transmission length of the X-raybundle is known and together with the knowledge of the tissue that isbeing imaged, the exposure settings or dose configuration is derived.

The known point 410 may for example be a point on a flat surface 413behind the subject 405. If the subject is positioned against thissurface 413, the thickness is the actual difference between the depthvalues of the respective locations 410 and 412 in the depth image. Theflat surface 413 may further be a table on which a subject 405 isplaced. The flat surface 413 may also be the X-ray detector panel of theX-ray imaging system.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dose, resizing and positionconfiguration is performed in a single step, i.e., these configurationsare derived from the same set of depth images. For the doseconfiguration, the thickness of the object is derived after that theposition configuration is obtained. From the position configuration itis known from which side the object will be radiated. The thickness ofthe object is then calculated according to the irradiation directionafter the geometric configuration would be applied.

In most cases an X-ray image is taken to obtain information about aninner object of a person such as for example a bone or an organ. In sucha case, the object itself will not be visible in the depth images. FIG.5 illustrates how the geometric configuration of the X-ray imagingsystem may be derived from the depth image 502 according to a preferredembodiment. In the example of FIG. 5, the object is the knee bones 507of the person 505. From the depth image 502, the location of the joints508 is identified in the depth image 502. This may for example be doneby image recognition software as available on the market, for example byusing the Kinect Software Development Kit or SDK proved by Microsoft.From the location of the joints 508, a skeleton or part of the skeleton509 comprising the object 507 is then fitted on the depth image asillustrated by depth image 522 in FIG. 5. From this skeleton 509, thelocation 523 of the bone structure, i.e. the knee bones 507, is derived.Then, the difference in location is obtained between the actual location523 of the object and the desired location 524 of the object 507 asshown in the schematic view 540 of the depth image. Similar to FIG. 3this may be done be obtaining the translation 525 and the rotation 526.

In some cases, the object 607 may fall outside the depth image as shownby FIG. 6. In the depth image 602, only the upper body part 608 of thesubject 605 is represented. It is therefore not possible to derive theposition of the object directly from the depth image 602. In order to doso, the position 606 of the body 605 is determined in a first step asillustrated in FIG. 6-a). In a second step, the position 609 of theobject 607 is determined as illustrated in FIG. 6-b). This is done byusing a known relation between the location 606 of the body and thelocation 609 of the body part 607. Alternatively, this may be done byextrapolating the depth image with object 607. In the example of FIG. 6where the subject is a person, this may be done by identifying the upperbody part 608 and then extrapolating the remaining part 610 of the bodyin the depth image. The object is then located in the extrapolated part610. Similar steps may be used for obtaining the size of the object 607as the size of the object is related with the size of the subject, i.e.,the size of the person 605. The remaining steps for configuring theX-ray imaging system are then performed similarly as for the case ofFIG. 3-b) and -c). Alternatively, a depth camera could be positionedsuch that it provides a view covering all possible positions an objectcould be initially positioned in thereby providing a bird's eye view ofthe X-ray system.

In one preferred embodiment the thickness information supplied by the 3d sensor is used to scale a model containing anatomical priorinformation of the body part under examination. The information on whichbody part is being imaged can be derived directly from the skeletonized3 d sensor data or from the chosen exam type. The scaling can beperformed by applying an overall scaling or by registering the anatomicmodel to the 3D sensor data of the patient. The scaled anatomic model isthen used to calculate the approximate transmission lengths of the raysthrough each of the tissue types in the anatomic model. The combinationof the transmission lengths and tissue type attenuation factors can thenbe used to calculate accurate patient and pose specific exposureparameters. To prevent unfeasible dose settings a sanity check can beperformed on the resulting dose parameters with customary doseparameters for the study type. The combination of the transmissionlengths and tissue type attenuation factors can also be used tocalculate dose settings for a specific wanted contrast ratio.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the X-ray imagingsystem comprises a supporting table with ionization chambers. Each ofthese chambers is configured to measure the amount of radiation receivedfrom the X-ray source. The measured amount is then used for AutomaticExposure Control or AEC. If a sufficient amount of radiation is measuredin the chambers underneath the object, the radiation is stopped and asufficiently exposed X-ray image is guaranteed. In order for this towork correctly, it is necessary to only activate the chambers under thesubject or the object. FIG. 7 illustrates how this is performed in anautomated way using the obtained depth image 702. First the table 709 isidentified in the depth image 702. This may be done by image recognitionor by the known current position configuration of the table. From theposition of the table 709, the position of the chambers 706 within theimage is derived. From the depth image, also the area covered by thesubject 705 and/or object 707 is derived. Then, only the chambers 710that are covered by the subject 705 or object 707 are activated.

The steps performed for configuring the X-ray imaging system accordingto the above preferred embodiments may further be performed iteratively.After the configuring, i.e. position configuration, resizingconfiguration and dose configuration, a new set of depth images may beobtained and a new configuring is then performed. The positionconfiguration and resizing configuration may be performed first in oneor more steps followed by a dose configuration in the final step.

According to a preferred embodiment, the automated steps for configuringthe X-ray imaging system according to the FIGS. 3 to 7 are performed ona controller 850 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The controller 850 as part ofthe X-ray imaging system 800 receives one or more depth images from thedepth camera(s) 801. Then, according to the above preferred embodiments,it determines the resizing configuration 852, the position configuration853, the dose configuration 854 and the configuration 855 for theionization chambers. The controller takes further as inputs the desiredposition 861 and the desired size 860 of the object. These inputs maycome from a medical file or medical database. The resizing configurationmay be applied as a diaphragm setting 812 in the X-ray Source 808, as adistance setting 822 or 810 determining the distance between the subjecton the table 820 and the X-ray source 808 or any combination of these.The position configuration 853 of the controller 850 may be implementedas a position setting 810 of the X-ray source 808 or as position setting822 of the supporting table on which the object is positioned.Optionally, also the position of the detector panel 811 may be setaccordingly. The dose configuration 854 is applied as a setting of theradiation parameters 809 in the X-ray source. The configuration 855 ofthe ionization chambers is then applied in the ionization chamber 821 ofthe table 820 supporting the subject and/or object. All steps performedin the controller 850 may be implemented in software that can becompiled to processor instructions. These instructions then run on aprocessor 850 in the controller upon execution.

Although the present invention has been illustrated by reference tospecific preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the invention is not limited to the details of theforegoing illustrative preferred embodiments, and that the presentinvention may be embodied with various changes and modifications withoutdeparting from the scope thereof. The present preferred embodiments aretherefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes whichcome within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims aretherefore intended to be embraced therein. In other words, it iscontemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations orequivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlyingprinciples and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patentapplication. It will furthermore be understood by the reader of thispatent application that the words “comprising” or “comprise” do notexclude other elements or steps, that the words “a” or “an” do notexclude a plurality, and that a single element, such as a computersystem, a processor, or another integrated unit may fulfil the functionsof several means recited in the claims. Any reference signs in theclaims shall not be construed as limiting the respective claimsconcerned. The terms “first”, “second”, third“, “a”, “b”, “c”, and thelike, when used in the description or in the claims are introduced todistinguish between similar elements or steps and are not necessarilydescribing a sequential or chronological order. Similarly, the terms“top”, “bottom”, “over”, “under”, and the like are introduced fordescriptive purposes and not necessarily to denote relative positions.It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable underappropriate circumstances and preferred embodiments of the invention arecapable of operating according to the present invention in othersequences, or in orientations different from the one(s) described orillustrated above.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A method for configuring an X-ray system for takingan X-ray image of an object, the method comprising the steps of:obtaining one or more depth images from one or more depth cameras, theone or more depth cameras covering at least an area covered by an X-raybundle of an X-ray source of the X-ray system; calculating a thicknessof the object from the one or more depth images or from a single depthimage obtained from the one or more depth cameras; and converting thethickness of the object to a dose configuration of the X-ray system bytaking into account a transmission length of the X-ray bundle throughthe object and knowledge about tissue types being imaged.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18, further comprising the steps of: determining asize of the object in the one or more depth images or in a single depthimage obtained from the one or more depth images; and determining aresizing configuration of the X-ray system from the size of the object,from a desired size of the object in the X-ray image, and from a knowngeometric relationship between the one or more depth cameras and theX-ray system.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step ofdetermining the resizing configuration includes a diaphragmreconfiguration of the X-ray system.
 21. The method according to claim19, wherein the step of determining the resizing configuration includesa distance reconfiguration of the X-ray imaging system indicative of areconfiguration of a distance between the X-ray source and the object.22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of determiningthe resizing configuration includes: determining a size of an area inthe one or more depth images or in the single depth image; calculating adesired size of the area such that a size of the object with respect tothe desired size of the area corresponds to the desired size of theobject in the X-ray image; and converting a difference between thedesired size of the area and the size of the area to the resizingconfiguration by the known geometric relationship.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: determining aposition of the object with respect to the area in the one or more depthimages or in the single depth image; determining a position change ofthe object relative to the area according to a desired position of theobject with respect to the area; and converting the position change to aposition reconfiguration by the known geometric relationship.
 24. Themethod according to claim 23, wherein the object is a portion of abigger object, the object falls outside the one or more depth images andthe bigger object is partially in the one or more depth images or in thesingle depth image, and the step of determining the position furtherincludes the steps of: determining a position of the bigger object withrespect to the area in the one or more depth images or in the singledepth image; and deriving the position of the object from the positionof the bigger object and a known position relationship between theobject and the bigger object.
 25. The method according to claim 23,wherein the object is a portion of a human body including a skeleton andjoints, and the step of determining the position of the object includesthe steps of: determining a position of the joints of the skeleton inthe one or more depth images or in the single depth image; deriving theposition of the object from the position of the joints and a knownposition relationship between the object and the joints.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 23, further comprising the step of: applying theresizing configuration and/or the position reconfiguration to the X-rayimaging system.
 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein thedetermining step and the deriving step are performed iteratively. 28.The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of calculating thethickness of the object and the step of converting the thickness of theobject are performed after the step of applying.
 29. The methodaccording to claim 28, wherein the one or more depth images used tocalculate the thickness of the object are different from the one or moredepth images used to determine the size of the object.
 30. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the step of calculating the thickness ofthe object is calculated along an optical axis of the X-ray source. 31.The method according to claim 18, wherein step of calculating thethickness of the object further includes the step of: calculating adistance between a point on the object and a background behind theobject, and the background is at a known distance from the object. 32.The method according to claim 31, wherein the background is a surfaceagainst which, or on top of which, the object is positioned.
 33. Themethod according to claim 18, wherein the object is positioned againstor on a surface including radiation measurement chambers, the methodfurther comprises the steps of: identifying select ones of the radiationmeasurement chambers underneath the object from the one or more depthimages or the single depth image; and activating the select ones of theradiation measurement chambers.
 34. The method according to claim 18,wherein the one or more depth cameras includes an aligned cameraincluding an optical axis aligned or substantially aligned with anoptical axis of the X-ray source.